Posts

Hiring to Retire

Hiring to retire is a popular retirement strategy for solo practitioners. Planning is essential to optimize value and prevent problems caused by career ending disabilities and health emergencies. Following are planning tips for hiring and retiring. Also included are resources to help to implement them. Tips Assessing – assess knowledge, personality, and skills of job candidates; conduct a formal interview and then meet socially with spouses. Communicating – use daily calls, chats, and emails to stay in touch; hold weekly strategy meetings. Compensating – negotiate a salary and buy/sell agreement that incentivizes you and your successor. Hiring – use local bar associations, law schools, and recruiters to find a talented replacement. Marketing – assign responsibility for managing client relationships; monitor billings to assess results. Onboarding – introduce your new hire to clients and staff, provide equipment and supplies, review responsibilities, tour office, etc. Partnering ...

Going Solo

Starting a new law firm can be financially rewarding and spiritually renewing. Success requires diligence, integrity, and planning. Plan your startup by considering administration, marketing, staffing, and technology. Following are tips for start a successful firm and links to resources with additional information. Tips Adopt a Plan . Prepare a business plan and financial model. Select a system for accounting, billing, intake, and timekeeping.  Attract Clients . Create a marketing strategy that includes launching a website and writing a blog. Also include in-person activities like speaking at local events, taking part in bar programs, and volunteering for charitable work.  Consider Alternatives . Try improving your current job by changing practice areas, switching to flextime, or permanently working remote. Consider alternative career paths like changing law firms, freelancing, or working for a company, government, or nonprofit.  Evaluate Systems  – Cons...

Using Checklists

Checklists can help you to organize, manage,  and prioritize. Use checklists to avoid relying solely on your memory. Checklists can help you check status, plot deadlines, and share responsibility with lawyers and support staff.  Digital checklists facilitate the process by enabling members of the firm to collaborate and stay up to date.  Purpose -  Checklists compensate for cognitive limits on human memory and attention span. They help assure that all things are considered and completed.   Using -  Checklists usually contain a concise list of important items, names, or tasks. They can be used for comparison, verification, and checking for completion. They apply to all areas of law practice including contracts, corporate, family, and litigation matters. Following are some practical applications for using checklists: Name List  – track names for litigation, marketing, networking purposes Responsibility List  - delegate tasks to lawyers and supp...

Marketing with Articles

Prospective clients use articles to research legal problems and find legal representation Stand out from the competition by writing articles that demonstrate your expertise and show how you solve legal problems. Article writing is a low-cost way to attract and retain clients. Read on for tips about article writing and resources for marketing your legal services. Tips Articles – write articles for blogs, social media and firm websites. Audience – stay in touch with clients and attract prospects. Calendar - create an editorial calendar to publish articles on a regular basis. Frequency – set a goal of publishing articles monthly or quarterly. Handouts – distribute your articles at meetings and seminars. Newsletters – use newsletters to inform readers about legal developments and planning opportunities. Notes – send short handwritten notes to clients and referral sources for holidays and special occasions. Press Releases – announce new hires and bring attention to significant fi...

Selling a Firm

Start your retirement planning by mid-career. Begin by discussing retirement plans with a bar association advisor, CPA, financial consultant, or life coach. Then prepare a written plan with timeline, strategies, and tactics. Planning can bring positive results for you, your clients, and your firm. Consult the resources listed below for strategies to help you close or sell your practice. Following are tips for closing or selling a smal firm and links to resources for additional help. Tips Advisors - hire an advisor to assist with marketing, negotiation, and valuation. Agreement - use a “Buy Sell Agreement” to plan for the departure of a partner. Alternatives   – options include closing firm, designating a successor, reducing caseload, or selling. Ethics   – review ethical obligations to avoid infractions and pitfalls. Hiring – groom a young lawyer to replace an exiting lawyer. Insuring   - keep malpractice insurance for risks arising after closing or sale. License ...

Protecting Your Computer

Unless you use private browsing for your Windows computer, starting in February 2025 you will stay signed into your Microsoft account until you sign out (pr eviously, users were prompted to select whether to stay logged in). Below are tips for protecting your Apple and Windows accounts, browsing, email, and passwords. Tips Authentication - use Two Factor Authentication or an Authenticator to stop hackers. Manage Passwords  - use a password manager to create and store passwords. Physical Lock  - use a physical lock to protect your personal computer from theft. Screen Lock - set your computer to lock when inactive. Sign-Out - remember to sign out when using public or shared computers.  Private Browsing - unless on your personal computer, use private browsing (a/k/a incognito mode) with Chrome, Edge, Safari, etc.  Articles Avoiding Computer Theft Best Practices for a Mac Enabling Private Browsing Ensuring Data Security Locking Computers When Away Preventing Trojan H...

Managing Political Stress

Political news and discussions about politics can heighten anxiety and stress levels.  Below are tips for avoiding political stress and links to articles and books with additional help.  Tips Acceptance - Be open minded to other views. Blocking - block or mute upsetting content from your social media feed. Discussions  - avoid heated discussions. Exercise  - Walk or work-out for 30 minutes at least 3 times a week. News - Limit viewing of politics in newspapers, social media, and TV Mindfulness - practice mindfulness and stress reduction. Sleep  - get at least 8 hours of sleep every night. Articles Managing Stress Preventing Election Anxiety Reducing Politically Induced Stress Staying Calm Using Media Wisely Books  Mindfulness Stress Management

Using Chat Tools

Law firms are increasingly using chat tools to improve client communication. The tools answer questions, collect payments, make appointments, etc. They supplement communication by email, phone, and office visits.  The tools include chatbots, live chat, and text messaging apps. Below are strategies for implementing chat at your firm. Links are provided to articles, books, reviews, and samples for further study.   Strategies Alternatives – consider using chatbots, live chats, and text messaging. Audience – limit use to clients and prospects by requiring log-in with contact information. Monitor – seek feedback and test performance to protect reputation.   Notice  – mention the availability of chat on business cards, directory listings, etc. Script – keep answers short and simple; refer complex questions to consultations. Staffing – do-it-yourself or outsource to a virtual receptionist or website host Articles Benefits and Challenges Chatbots Client Intake Ethi...

Helping Lawyers with Cognitive Decline

About 5% of American adults experience mild cognitive impairment at some point in their lives. The incidence rate rises for older adults to about 20% by 70 and around 30% by 90. The onset of impairment is difficult to detect since it can come gradually and at any age. A common scenario is a decline in productivity, missed deadlines, and quality control issues. Lifestyle changes, medications, and therapies can help reverse, slow, or stop mental decline. Consider the following strategies to help co-workers, family, or friends who display symptoms of cognitive impairment. To implement the strategies, consult the articles, books, videos, and websites listed at the end of this post. Strategies Approach – use an indirect approach to avoid alarming the person suspected of cognitive impairment. Causes – become familiar with causes of impairment like Alzheimer's, medications, Parkingson's and substance abuse. Denial – stay calm and compassionate since denial is a coping mechanism. Di...

Staying Healthy at Work

Camaraderie and healthy workstyles can improve happiness and productivity. The following are tips for staying healthy and social whether working in an office or at home. Tips Boundaries – set boundaries with clients and colleagues to reduce stress. Breaks – take breaks by standing up, stretching, and walking for bone/muscle health. Diet – snack on fruit and vegetables to boost your immune system. Ergonomics – upgrade chairs, desks, monitors, and keyboards to eliminate discomfort. Fitness  - exercise during the workday to maintain muscles and stay fit. Friendship – stay social with daily breaks for small talk and lunch with associates, clients, and friends. Hydration – drink 8 cups of water every day to keep joints lubricated and organs functioning. Pollution - use ultraviolet lights and a personal air purifier to improve air quality. Routine – establish a daily time for logging on/off from work to avoid burnout. Sleep - get 7 to 8 hours/night of uninterrupted sleep to resto...